In business, his understanding of the coil and heat transfer market was widely appreciated. "He was a good friend and former supervisor," said Billy Griffin of Heatcraft. "I thank him for all he has done for me in my career."
Lien was instrumental in developing manufacturing software at Heatcraft, "that was able to put the phrases ‘Made to Fit' and ‘the industry's shortest lead times' in the same truthful sentence," according to Campbell-Sevey Inc., Minnetonka.